Former President Maithripala Sirisena has informed the court that there is no need for him to make a statement in court about his recent remarks on the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks as he has already provided one to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

He communicated this through a motion submitted to the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court through his legal counsel today (3). 

On 28 March, the Maligakanda Magistrate ordered the former president to make a statement in court on 04 April about his comments that raised eyebrows.

However, the CID on 25 March obtained a five-hour-long statement from Sirisena after Public Security Minister Tiran Alles ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.

On 22 March, Sirisena, who was the incumbent when the coordinated bombings happened, stirred controversy when he claimed he was aware of the true masterminds of the carnage.

He had also expressed readiness to disclose the relevant information and that at the same time, it is the responsibility of the judges to keep the information strictly confidential.

Sirisena soon received backlash with some accusing the former President of allegedly willfully concealing crucial information about the heinous bombings that claimed the lives of more than 250 people.

Amidst the controversy, however, former President Sirisena later claimed that his statement was based on certain information he had received three weeks ago.